Mike and Tamara talk with Della Major, an AKF Ambassador, Kidney Health Coach, teacher and life coach who is living with lupus nephritis. As a self-proclaimed “squawker”, Della is practiced in sharing her story of learning about both kidney disease and lupus while navigating the grief associated with this change in her health. She describes her initial resistance to starting dialysis, but how an experience with another patient at her center helped turn her mindset around. 

Della also talks about receiving a “high risk” kidney for her first transplant and the challenges associated with a treatment that is often talked about like a cure. Della explains how she is “here to change the game,” through educating her community, advocating for kidney legislation and sharing her story so others know they are not alone in their kidney disease journeys.  

More resources:

• Looped In on Lupus Nephritis 
• AKF Ambassador network 
• Become a Kidney Health Coach 
• Mental health and kidney disease 
• End-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure 
• Life after transplant 
• Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP)